"Clara."His voice was steel."I'm coming.I’ll be there in ten, and we’ll go together."
"Okay."Relief flooded through me, warm and sticky.Did he know how much his support meant?How this simple act of solidarity made me feel stronger and more capable?“Thank you, Nash."
Nash’s shiny black sedan pulled up to the curb of my apartment building ten minutes later.He got out as soon as the car stopped, striding over with protective energy radiating off him.
"Are you okay?"he asked, pulling me into his arms.
"No.Yes.I don't know."I let him guide me into the back seat of the car.Trojan nodded my way, looking at me through the rearview mirror.Nash held my hand as Trojan pulled into traffic.
“I don’t know what he thinks he’s doing,” I murmured as we drove.
“Trying to establish control.”Nash brought my knuckles to his lips.“And failing.”
The drive to the daycare center was tense, though I knew logically that Mia was safe and Preston was gone for now.Still, his sudden appearance felt like shots fired, and I mulled over every potential response.
When we strode into Little Sprouts, Jennifer met us at the front desk.Her eyes widened slightly at Nash's presence."Mia's in the playroom.She doesn't know anything happened."
"Thank you,” I said."I’d prefer to take her home early today.I’m just a little rattled by her biological father showing up."
"I totally understand.Mr.Clarke was quite adamant that you were keeping his daughter from him and he has parental rights.We’ve dealt with non-custodial parents before, and we have very clear policies and procedures for these types of incidents.The child’s safety is always our first priority."
Nash's jaw tightened."Did he threaten anyone?"
"Not explicitly.But his tone was concerning.I've documented everything."
"Can we add my husband to the authorized pickup list?"I asked suddenly."Nash Nightingale.I want him to be able to get Mia if I can't."
Jennifer nodded."Of course.I'll need to see ID and have you fill out a form."
A few minutes later, Nash was officially authorized.It felt significant.Almost more official than the marriage itself.A symbol that he was part of this.Part ofus.
So much for the boundaries.Nash was intertwined into every part of my life now.
Jennifer led us back to the three-year-old room to get Mia.
Mia ran to me when she spotted us, her little face bright with excitement."Mommy!Naff!"
Nash scooped her up when she lifted her arms."Hey, little dragon.How was your day?"
"Good!I paint a picture.Want to see?"
"Absolutely."
We collected her things, looked at her painting—a chaotic swirl of colors that she insisted was a dragon and needed more time on the drying rack—and headed out.Mia was a chatterbox the whole way home.She and Trojan were deep in a conversation about princess movies, which Trojan was fluent in thanks to his girlfriend’s daughter Grace, who was close to Mia’s age.
When we pulled up to my apartment complex, I said, “Why don’t we get the girls together sometime?”I looked over at Nash.His eyes were sparkling, which told me he liked the idea.“Mia would love to meet Grace.”
“I’ll let Maddie know,” Trojan said with a grin.“I think they would have a blast together.We could invite Trace Fairchild’s niece, Willow, and make it a full princess party.”
Nash gave Trojan a list of errands to run before accompanying Mia and me up to the apartment.Once inside, Mia got busy dragging her doll house out into the living room.
“What’s your plan for the rest of the day?”I asked Nash, trying to let go of some of the tension still clinging to me by busying myself in the kitchen.
“Making sure you’re okay.”He leaned against the countertop as I took to washing dishes.
“I’m fine.”I shrugged.“I can’t pretend to know why he showed up today of all days.And it makes me wonder if he’s going to show uphere.”
Nash crossed his arms, leveling a serious look my way."You need to move into the penthouse.”
